Circuit controlling means for motor vehicles



P 11, 1956 E. H. CHAPMAN 2,762,934

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MEANS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed April 14, 1954 KEY ACTUATE SWITCH E 4/ 35 STARTER a ACCESSORIES |II- IGNITION IN VEN TOR.

EUGENE H.CHAPMAN, BY

United States Patent CIRCUIT CONTROLLING MEANS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Eugene H. Chapman, Hollywood, Fla. Application April 14, 1954, Serial No. 423,182

2 Claims. (Cl. 307-10) This invention relates to circuit controlling means and has particular reference to means for interrupting the circuit to the ignition and all major appliances of a motor vehicle when the vehicle is to be parked or when circumstances present themselves where the operator may have reason to suspect that the electrical system is not functioning properly or that there is a possibility of a short circuit in the system.

It is a well known fact, that many vehicle fires are caused by short circuits in the system due to conditions which the average vehicle owners are unaware, such for instance, as worn insulation in the presence of a relatively dirty and greasy power plant and the like. Many such fires have occurred and at relatively considerable expense to the operator and the insurance companies and, it is the prime purpose of this invention to provide means that will absolutely interrupt the flow of current from the battery to all major appliances, including the starter and ignition, when the usual key controlled switch is shifted to the inoperative position, similar to the well known ignition switch.

The invention resides in positioning a circuit interrupter adjacent the positive side of the battery, which circuit interrupter is controllable by the well known key controlled switch or such other switch as may be employed whereby the flow of current may be effectively controlled at its source for the subsequent control of the starter, the ignition and all other appliances of the vehicle under both normal and abnormal conditions.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a circuit controlling means that readily adapts itself to the conventional wiring systems of vehicles presently in use and which may be installed at a relatively low cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated diagrammatically a preferred arrangement of parts and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the invention and,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of an actuating switch.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a source of electrical energy, such as the conventional storage battery. The numeral 6 designates a conventional solenoid switch, 7 designates a conventional key controlled switch and 8 designates a second conventional solenoid switch. The solenoid switches 6 and 8 are generally of the type employed for the actuation of vehicle engine starter. The usual starter 9, lighting system 10 and accessories 11 have all been diagrammatically illustrated as embodied in the electrical system to be controlled. The system here illustrated is, for convenience, a one wire and ground arrangement. The

2,762,934 Patented Sept. 11, 1956 battery accordingly, is grounded to the usual vehicle framework, as at 12.

A heavy duty conductor 13, leads from the positive side of the battery 5, to a contact point 14. The contact point 14 and a companion contact point 15 are embodied in the solenoid switch 6. A core 17 is shiftable under the influence of a winding 16 to move a bridging contact head 18 to simultaneously engage the points 14 and 15. A conductor 19 leads from a binding post of the contact 14 to one side of the winding 16.

The switch 7 embodies any well known type of key controlled mechanism, including a cylinder 20, housing a rotative shaft 21. The cylinder 20 is provided with fixed contacts 22 and 23. The contact 23 is grounded at 24, while the contact 22 is connected to the opposite side of the winding 16, by a conductor 25. The cylinder 24 also carries fixed contacts 26 and 27, connected in a manner to be presently described.

A heavy duty conductor 28 connects the contact point 15 to a contact point 29, embodied in the solenoid switch 8. A companion contact point 30 is connected to the starter 9 by a heavy duty conductor 37. The solenoid switch 8 is of conventional construction and embodies a winding 31, a core 32 and a bridging contact head 33 that simultaneously engages the contacts 29 and 30. A conductor 34 is connected to a binding post of the contact point 29 and the contact 26 of the switch 7. A conductor 35 is connected to the contact 27 and with one side of the winding 31. The opposite side of the winding 31 is grounded at 36. A conductor 39 leads from the binding post of the contact point 29 to the various accessories 11 and this conductor likewise furnishes a flow of current to the lights lil, through any conventional light switch 40. The starter is grounded in the usual manner, as at 38. Bridging contact arms 41 and 42 are fixed upon the shaft 21 of the switch 7 and serve to bridge the contacts 22 and 23 and 26 and 27. The arms 41 and 42 are insulated from each other, as at 43.

A clock 44 has been illustrated and, since the clock is the only accessory upon the vehicle that must be continuously operated, a conductor 45 has been connected to the binding post of the contact point 14, where it will be continuously energized from the battery 5. A relatively low amperage fuse 46 has been installed in the conductor 45 and this fuse will readily burn out in the presence of any abnormal condition in the electrical circuit, thus avoiding any danger of fire from such connection. Various other and well known fuses may be employed if desired at points to additionally protect the various accessories, although the use of such fuses will in no way furnish a substitute for the protection afforded by the system and mechanism here disclosed.

In the use of the system, assuming all parts to be in the inactive position illustrated and with the solenoid switches in the open and circuit interrupting position, the operator inserts the well known key into the switch 7 and then, by a partial rotation of the shaft 21, causes the switch arm 41 to bridge the contacts 22 and 23. Current will then flow from the battery 5, through conductor 13, conductor 19, winding 16, conductor 25, to the contact 22, where it flows across the arm 41 to the contact 23 and to the ground 24. The winding being thus energized, draws the core 17 inwardly to shift the contact head 18 to bridge the contact points 14 and 15, establishing a flow of current through conductor 28 to the contact point 29, wire 39 and to the various accessories, including the ignition. The contacts 22 and 23 are elongated, as shown and permit a further rotation of the switch mechanism 7 without interrupting the flow or" current as just indicated. Now, if it is desired to start the engine by the starter 9, the operator further rotates the switch 7, causing the switch arm 42 to engage the contacts 26 and 27. Since a flow of current has already been established to the contact point 29, the current will now flow from the contact point 29, through conductor 34, to the contact 26, through the arm 42, contact 27, conductor 35 and to the winding 31 and then to the ground 36, energizing the winding 31 and drawing the core 32 inwardly to shift the contact head 33 to bridging contact with the points 29 and 30. When this occurs, current will flow from the contact 38, through conductor 37, motor 9 and thence to the ground 38, causing the motor to start the vehicle engine. in the conventional starter switches, the contact arm 42 is spring loaded away from the contacts 26 and 27 thus, when the operator releases the key, the arm 42 will immediately shift away from the contacts 26 and 27, tie-energizing the winding 31 of the solenoid switch 8 and interrupting the flow of current to the starter motor 9. All parts remain energized so long as the contact arm 41 remains in bridging'contact with the contacts 22. and 23 and the winding 16 continues to be energized to establish the flow of current to the contact point 29.

Now, should the operator detect an abnormal condition in the electrical system of the vehicle, such for instance as the odor of burning insulation, he immediately turns the switch 7 to the off position, interrupting the flow of current to the winding 16, permitting the core and its associated contact head 18 to be spring shifted to the circuit breaking position, shown in full lines in the drawings. Current is then prevented from flowing past the contact point 14 and all other wiring of the system has been tie-energized. While the control of the solenoid switch 6 has been shown as being through the usual'switch 7, it will be clearly apparent, that a separate switch for the control of this solenoid may be employed, thus providing for the conventional ignition switch and a separate emergency switch. t is believed however, that from the standpoint of economy of manufacture and installation, that the system will be wired substantially'as shown.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that a very simple and highly efiective means has been-provided for the protection of a motor vehicle against fires caused by short circuits. The device however is just as applicable in the event of collision and possible upset and the fires caused by spilled gasoline and oils. The parts are few :andsimple, easily installed and require little if any attention. 7

'It is to be understood, that while a preferred system of electrical wiring and control elements has been shown and described, changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit of the invention as determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by vLetters Patent is:

l. A safety circuit controlling means for the electrical wiring system of motor vehicles in combination with a source of electrical energy, a manually actuated switch, an engine starter and a circuit for the control of the ignition, lights and accessories of the vehicle, an electrically actuated switch positioned in the circuits adjacent the source of electrical energy, a solenoid switch adjacent the starter for controlling the flow of current therefrom, the electrically controlled switch when in an open position serving to interrupt the flow of current from the source of electrical energy to the solenoid switch and to the circuit for the control of the ignition, lights and accessories, the manually actuated switch when in one operative position serving to energize and close the electrically controlled switch for establishing a flow of current from the source of electrical energy to one side of the solenoid switch and energizing the ignition, lights and accessory circuit, the manually actuated switch when in another position serving to energize the solenoid switch for establishing a flow of current to the starter, the manually actuated switch in its first and second positions maintaining the electrically controlled switch energized.

2, The safety circuit controlling means according to claim 1, wherein the manually controlled switch is provided with two pairs of contact points and a pair of contact arms for bridging each pair of contacts, the contact arms being insulated from each other, one pair of contact points when bridged by their respective arm, establishing a flow of current from the source of electrical energy to energize and actuate the electrically controlled switch to a closed position to establish a'tlow of current from the source of electrical energy to one side of the solenoid switch and to the ignition, lights and accessory circuit, the other of said contacts when bridged by their respective arm serving to establish a flow of current through the solenoid switch to energize and close such switch for establishing a flow of current to the starter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

